Page 57 - Latest Updates on Taliban
Jaishankar holds talks with US special envoy for Afghanistan Khalilzad
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla were also present in the meeting
 "Jaishankar holds talks with US special envoy for Afghanistan Khalilzad")
Doha talks make progress at first meeting: Afghan government negotiators
Participants in the peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban that are currently underway in Qatar have made some progress during the Sunday contact group session
 "Doha talks make progress at first meeting: Afghan government negotiators")
Fresh clashes between Taliban, Afghan Army result in multiple casualties
Clashes between the Afghan army and the Taliban in the country's southern province of Kandahar and eastern province of Nangarhar have left at least six insurgents killed and many others injured
 "Fresh clashes between Taliban, Afghan Army result in multiple casualties")
Kabul blast kills 10 civilians, vice president suffers minor injuries
No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack and the Taliban quickly denied they were behind the bombing
 "Kabul blast kills 10 civilians, vice president suffers minor injuries")
Taliban attacked a military base in Afghanistan, killing at least three
Five other forces were wounded in the attack, said Abdul Rahman Mangal, a spokesman for the governor in Paktia province
 "Taliban attacked a military base in Afghanistan, killing at least three")
High-level Taliban delegation in Pakistan for Afghan peace process
The Taliban delegation led by their political chief Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar is visiting Islamabad at the invitation of the country's foreign office
 "High-level Taliban delegation in Pakistan for Afghan peace process")
Taliban set powerful negotiating team for intra-Afghanistan talks
The Taliban's chief has finalised a negotiating team that is to have sweeping decision-making powers in upcoming intra-Afghan negotiations
Kabul begins release of final 400 Taliban prisoners, talks to follow
Afghanistan has released the first 80 of a final 400 Taliban prisoners, paving the way for negotiations between the warring sides in Afghanistan's protracted conflict, the government said
 "Kabul begins release of final 400 Taliban prisoners, talks to follow")
Withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan to benefit China: Report
The US' decision to withdraw its forces from Afghanistan after 20 years of war against the Taliban will be an advantage for China to establish its influence in the region
Pompeo, Taliban deputy chief discuss intra-Afghan talks over video-call
Mike Pompeo and Taliban deputy leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar discussed the start of the intra-Afghan talks and the ongoing situation in Afghanistan
 "Pompeo, Taliban deputy chief discuss intra-Afghan talks over video-call")
Islamic State attack on Afghanistan prison continues; at least 11 dead
A number of prisoners have escaped during the attack, said a provincial official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media
 "Islamic State attack on Afghanistan prison continues; at least 11 dead")
UN blacklists Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan's leader Noor Wali Mehsud
In June 2018, Mehsud was named the leader of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, following the death of former TTP leader Maulana Fazlullah
 "UN blacklists Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan's leader Noor Wali Mehsud")
US pulls out troops from 5 bases in Afghanitan as agreed with Taliban
The Pentagon announced that the US has withdrawn from five bases in Afghanistan and reduced the size of its forces there as part of the agreement it entered into with the Taliban earlier this year
Bihar on high alert over possible terrorist intrusion through Nepal border
Bihar Special Branch has issued high alert to all districts in the state after a warning was issued regarding possible terrorists from Taliban and Jaish-e-Mohammad entering state through Nepal border.
 "Bihar on high alert over possible terrorist intrusion through Nepal border")
Trump's denial over Russia, Taliban conspiracy briefing remarkable: Bolton
Trump on Sunday denied ever being briefed on this matter, adding that Vice President Mike Pence and Chief of Staff Mark Meadows were also not given information about the allegations
 "Trump's denial over Russia, Taliban conspiracy briefing remarkable: Bolton")
25 Taliban terrorists killed in airstrike in Afghanistan's Balkh province
According to local sources, the airforce had targeted a farmer's house and during the strike four civilians, including a child and a woman, were killed
Taliban protests as Afghanistan government releases another 100 insurgents
The administration of President Ashraf Ghani on Wednesday released 100 low-risk Taliban prisoners who had vowed never to return to the battlefield
Afghanistan's chaos and India's critique
The deal with the Taliban is full of contradictions, but it is the best the US could come up with. Rather than criticise it, India should think about what its own options are in securing its flanks
Afghan govt delays plan to free Taliban prisoners, puts peace deal at risk
According to the decree, only 1,500 Taliban prisoners would be initially released as a gesture of goodwill
 "Afghan govt delays plan to free Taliban prisoners, puts peace deal at risk")
Afghanistan Prez Ashraf Ghani signs decree to release Taliban prisoners
Making the announcement about the decree, Ghani's spokesperson Sediq Sediqqi on Tuesday said that details will be shared today
